12v socket dead
 

Hi all,
My 12v socket ('05 Blob WRX) died a while ago while putting on a 12v kettle (!) to make myself a brew whilst camping which must have drawn too much current and blown a fuse somewhere. I have checked the coin try fuse box (fuse 4, 20A) and that one is fine (put a working one in there to double check and still not working). The rear view mirrors work fine. I have seen elsewhere on the forum that there is a fuse behind the 12v socket itself - is there an easy way of getting to this fuse to check it?

Cheers,
Andy

To clarify, I've taken the panel off with the socket in it, but can't find any fuses, although there is something that looks like a resistor on it?

Yep no fuse behind it. did you change the correct fuse behind the coin tray and it only works with the key in the acc/ign position.

Using a Kettle may have damaged the actual connections inside the power socket.


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/donald....t%20Socket.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/donald....%20Socket1.JPG

Thanks for the response. I might get the old voltmeter out and test the connections themselves - I can tell whether it is in the socket or the earth or fuse cable.

I'll let you know what I conclude!

Cheers,
Andy

Oh and sorry, yeah I have tried it with the ignition on, engine running etc. The electric mirrors work fine which also use fuse 4. I removed the fuse and the mirrors stopped working, put it back in and it worked again, so I am pretty sure I can rule out fuse 4 (would be the easy option!)

Finally took the multimeter to the socket and it is indeed dead. I tested the plugs going into the back and they are fine, so the socket itself is dead. Is it best to get in touch with the dealers for a genuine part or do universal ones fit alright? Like this fleabay treat?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-CAR-CI...item2a12f3fcc4

Is it is simple as the diagram posted by Don? Just twist it?

Cheers

There's a bit of fuse wire soldered on the back of the cigarette lighter. Kind of like a fail safe to prevent by-passing the main fuse.
I guess your kettle popped that before the fuse popped.

Yeah I saw that - a grey one at an angle? Can this be replaced?

I resoldered mine, works fine.

Soldered in a new one or bypass it with a soldered wire?

I put a dab of solder on the broken fuse wire to rejoin it, there was enough there for the fuse wire to still do it's job.
You could do either I suppose, but I'd maybe put a 15A fuse in if you were going to by pass the fuse wire completely.

I'll give it a go, cheers

Thanks Mike - that worked perfect. Pulled the fuse and it was burnt through at some point within it, so peeled back the plastic and re-soldered that bit, so it still works as a fuse.
Photo of burned through fuse:
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0456.jpg
Photo after soldering:
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0458.jpg
Works fine now!